Crosman’s Farewell: A Century-Old Legacy Continues with the Hackable C362 and a Special 100th Anniversary Edition
The news of Crosman Corporation being sold to Daisy Manufacturing and closing its long-time New York facility represents a significant turning point in the airgun world. Founded in 1923, Crosman has been a cornerstone of the airgun community, known for producing affordable, customizable, and reliable products. The company operated out of Ontario County, New York, since the early 1970s, where it employed 140 people. However, as part of a strategic decision by Compass Diversified (CODI), the parent company of Crosman’s airgun division, the brand was sold to Daisy Manufacturing in April 2024 (WXXINews)(Hard Air Magazine).
The decision to close Crosman’s New York facility comes as a result of overlapping business operations between Daisy and Crosman. According to Joe Brown, Crosman’s VP of Marketing and Product Development, it was a difficult but inevitable choice to shut down the New York facility due to the duplicity in their operations (WXXI News).
This closure is particularly hard on the local community, where Crosman had become an integral part of the economic fabric, supporting local businesses and providing stable employment. The economic impact will ripple through East Bloomfield and the surrounding areas, which benefited from Crosman’s presence for decades (WXXI News).
While the closure is unfortunate, there’s a silver lining for Crosman fans and the airgun community. Products like the Crosman C362 continue to carry on the brand's legacy, showcasing the reliability and hackability that Crosman products are known for. When I recently took the C362 out for its first range test, it brought back memories of simpler times. The C362 is an old-school pneumatic pump action air rifle with open sights. Despite my aging eyes, I was impressed with how well the rifle grouped at the range. There’s something timeless about the joy of shooting with nothing more than a tin of pellets and an afternoon of free time—no air tanks, no complex setups, just pure shooting enjoyment.
What truly stands out about the C362 is its hackable platform. Crosman has long been known for creating airguns that enthusiasts can modify with ease. From upgraded triggers to custom stocks, Crosman rifles like the C362 are a tinkerer's dream. The parts are not only easy to find but also inexpensive and simple to install, making it a fantastic option for DIY airgun enthusiasts. This tradition of accessibility and customization is something Crosman fans have always valued, and it's encouraging to see that, despite corporate changes, this aspect of the brand remains alive and well (Hard Air Magazine).
Adding to my Crosman journey, I recently won the 100th Anniversary Deluxe Edition of the C362 in a raffle at the Pyramyd Air Cup 2024. This limited-edition version is a beautiful upgrade from the standard model, featuring a luxurious walnut stock, a machined steel breech, and a commemorative medallion embedded in the cheekpiece. The trigger, which is often an area where Crosman rifles see significant after-market improvements, comes pre-upgraded in this deluxe model. It’s a noticeable step up in terms of smoothness and break quality compared to the base C362.
This 100th-anniversary edition not only honors Crosman’s long-standing heritage but also showcases how the brand continues to evolve. The rifle combines traditional craftsmanship with modern touches, making it a collector’s item for airgun enthusiasts. I’m looking forward to diving deeper into customizing both the standard and deluxe versions, exploring how well they can be modded, and pushing their performance further.
In closing, while it’s sad to see Crosman leave its long-time home in New York, their legacy lives on through products like the C362 and the community of tinkerers who keep modifying, hacking, and enjoying their airguns. The future of the brand under Daisy Manufacturing remains to be seen, but for now, the heart and soul of Crosman—the joy of simple, accessible, and customizable airgun shooting—remains alive and well. Stay tuned as I continue to explore and test the capabilities of these airguns, especially as I delve into modding the 100th-anniversary model. Crosman may be transitioning, but the spirit of innovation that made it beloved in the airgun world continues(
